Curtain stretcher and prop



Jan. 16, 1934. R V|NA| 1,944,019

CURTAIN STRETCHER AND PROP Filed April 24, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l d l l l /PAV v V/A/,4 IN1/Emol? [El .BY [H my/77.

A TTORNEY Jan. 16, 1934. R. VINALL 1,944,019

CURTAIN STRETCHER AND PROP Filed April 24, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 n n n n n n n n n n DY V//VLL INVENYOR A TTORNE Y Patented YJ an. 16, 1934 UNTTED STATES PATENT oFFicE 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to the art of curtain stretchers and more particularly to the relationship of the frame and its prop. Among the objects of this invention are to provide a prop which will automatically spread with the frame as the latter is adjusted to accommodate curtains of different widths; to provide an improved construction of curtain stretcher and prop which is easily handled when stretching a curtain and which can be stood up in any reasonably smooth place without the necessity of leaning same against some other structure; and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will hereafter appear and as are inherent in the construction disclosed herein. My invention further resides in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and, while I have shown therein what is now considered the preferred embodiment of this invention, I desire the same to be understood as illustrative only and not to be interpreted in a limiting sense.

In the drawings annexed hereto and forming a part hereof,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a. structure embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged detail taken near the lower end of one of the side frame elements;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken substantially along the plane indicated by the line 5-5, Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail, in perspective, showing the connection of a frame bracing element and one of the prop elements to a side frame element of the structure.

The present invention comprises a laterally and longitudinally expansible and collapsible curtain stretcher frame and a prop therefor whereby the same may be stood up without being leaned against any other structure. The frame comprises a pair of side members l, a top cross member 2, and a bottom cross member 3. To each side member 1 there is secured a longitudinal rod 4, the same being held in place by suitable means 5, such as staples or screw eyes. Also, one end of each rod may be turned backwardly at substantially a right angle, as shown at 6 in Fig. 2. 'Ihis end, if used, will be long enough to be inserted into the side member 1 so as to prevent movement of 55A the rod 4.

' Grooves are cut in the back faces of the frame members 1 and metal strips '7 are attached to these frame members, the same being spaced from each other somewhat to form channels 8 overlying the grooves. This permits the head of a bolt 9 to slide in each of these grooves for a purpose which will appear presently. Frame bracing elements 10 and 11 are pivotally connected at 12 and 13 to the lower end portions .of the side members 1. These braces are pivotally connected where they cross, as indicated at 14. Wing nuts 15 are applied to the bolts 12 and, when tightened up, serve to hold the frame against collapsing. It will be apparent that when these nuts are loosened the side members may be caused to approach or recede from each other and then when the desired width is attained the nuts can be again tightened up to hold the parts in adjusted relation. At the upper ends of the side members 1 are secured blocks 16 which are notched, as shown in Fig. 2, to receive the crossbar 2 and hold same in fixed position. Adjacent the lower ends of the members 1 are blocks 17, the shape of which is shown most clearly in Fig. 4. Through these blocks 17 extend bolts 18 provided with heads 19 and wing nuts 20. These bolts slide in the slots 21 and thus permit adjustment of the crossbar 3 longitudinally of the side members 1. This provides for the stretching 1 of curtains of diiferent lengths. Since the blocks 17 slide closely adjacent the rods 4, they are prevented from rotating about the bolts 18 and are therefore always held with the notches downwardly in proper position for insertion of the crossbar 3.

The prop comprises a pair of crossbars or legs 23 pivotally connected, as at 24, and secured at their upper ends, as at 25, to the braces 10 and 11 which, as indicated above, are in turn secured to the side members 1. It is therefore apparent that the legs 23 are indirectly secured to the side members and that as these are collapsed or expanded the legs 23 turn about their pivot 24, which results in the prop being automatically accommodated to the width of the frame. A securing means 26 is provided so that the prop may be held more or less rigidly connected to the stretcher frame which may thus be set up wherever desired and without the necessity of leaning same against any other structure. It will be apparent from Fig. 6 that the connecting means 25 is so arranged that the prop may be disconnected from the frame; if desired. On the other hand, these connecting elements maybe more or less permanently united, if same seems desirable.

It will of course be understood that the specic description of structure set forth above may be departed from Without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in this specication and the appended claims.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. A curtain stretcher comprising a pair of side members connected and held in parallel posi-- tion by crossed, pivotally connected members which are pivotally connected to the side members adjacent an end of each thereof, the other ends of the crossed members being slidably con nected to the side members, in combination With a prop for holding the stretcher face in inclined position, said prop comprising a pair of crossed, pivotally connected legs which spread or collapse in unison with the side members.

2. A structure as deiined by claim 1 having means capable of being attached to the curtain stretcher frame to hold the prop in xed, spread relation thereto and capable of being disconnected to permit the prop to be folded against the frame.

3. A curtain stretcher comprising a laterally expansible and collapsible frame and a prop therefor, said prop being pivotally connected to theside members of the frame and comprising a pair of members pivotally connected approximately midway of their length to swing with the side members as they are spread or collapsed to adjust the stretcher for curtains of different sizes.

RAY VINALL. 

